Lauren M. Hopwood

Allison Near is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice, Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Allison, who practices law in New Haven, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Allison is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

A repeated recipient of Best Lawyers of America’s “Lawyer of the Year” , a member of the Executive Board of the National Employment Lawyers Association , a past president of the Connecticut Employment Lawyers Association , and a graduate of Yale Law School, Nina represents individuals in employment and civil rights litigation and negotiation. She is well versed in all aspects of employment law, including discrimination (on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, sexual orie...

Mitchell S. Jaffe is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Mitchell S., who practices law in New Haven, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mitchell S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Vimala B. Ruszkowski is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Health Care and Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Vimala B., who practices law in Shelton, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Vimala B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sandy T. Roussas is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Sandy T., who practices law in Shelton, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sandy T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jane Elaine Ballerini practices in the areas of commercial real estate law, commercial finance and general commercial and business law. She represents local and national banks in the extension of asset-based, mortgage and construction loans to commercial borrowers. Attorney Ballerini is one of a few practicing U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Designated Attorneys in the State. Her sub-specialty is representing traditional lenders and Certified Development Companies in transactions inv...

Stephen Fitzgerald represents individuals in employment and personal injury matters in Connecticut’s state and federal courts. He also represents railroad workers in courts throughout the country. Steve has won several multi-million dollar jury verdicts for his clients. His peers have ranked him as a Connecticut Super Lawyer since 2011, as the Super Lawyer Employment Lawyer of the Year for 2012, and he has been named Best Lawyer of the Year for Labor & Employment Litigation in the N...

Michelle C. Laubin is a senior partner in the firm's Milford office. Her practice focuses on education law, particularly special education law and student matters. Ms. Laubin has represented school districts in countless student discipline and special education matters, including attending planning and placement team (PPT) meetings, negotiation of settlement and mediation agreements, representation in expulsion and due process hearings, as well as resolution of State Department of Education c...

Lou is a partner in the private client and tax team at Withers Bergman LLP. He concentrates his practice on estate planning and administration, income tax planning and commercial transactions with a particular emphasis on planning for closely held businesses. His work for clients focuses on a variety of matters, that touch on creating wealth and business succession structures to general legal business advice and spans a wide range of industries including real estate, manufacturing, and profes...

Christopher M. Hodgson is a Senior Partner in the firm’s Labor and Employment Practice Group. He has practiced labor and employment law in Connecticut since 1985. Chris is rated as AV by his peers in Martindale-Hubbell, its highest designation, and has been included in Best Lawyers in America since 2010, New England Super Lawyers since 2008, and Connecticut Super Lawyers since 2007. He is a graduate of Choate-Rosemary Hall, the University of Vermont, and the University of Richmond Schoo...